Types Of Fire Extinguishers

TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Water Extinguishers

Water or APW extinguishers (air-pressurized water) are suitable for CLASS A fires only. NEVER USE A WATER EXTINGUISHER ON A GREASE FIRE, electrical fires or class D fires - the flames will spread and make the fire bigger. Water extinguishers are filled with water and are typically pressurized with air.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers

This type is used for CLASS B and CLASS C fires. CO2 extinguishers contain carbon dioxide, a non-flammable gas, and are highly pressurized. The pressure is so great that it is not uncommon for bits of dry ice to shoot out the nozzle. They don't work very well on class A fires because they may not be able to displace enough oxygen to put the fire out, causing it to re-ignite.

Halotron Extinguishers

HALOTRON is known as a Clean Agent that is discharged as a rapidly evaporating liquid which leaves no residue. It effectively extinguishes Class A and B fires by cooling and smothering and it will not conduct electricity back to the operator. Halotron is pressurized with Argon gas and is an EPA and FAA approved agent suitable for use on Class A, B and C fires. Halotron extinguishers are intended for use in areas formerly protected by Halon 1211 portable extinguishers such as in computer rooms, telecommunications facilities, clean rooms, data storage areas, offices, boats and vehicles. (Replaced Halon)

Dry Chemical Extinguishers

These extinguishers come in a variety of types and are suitable for a combination of CLASS A, CLASS B and CLASS C fires.

BC - This is the regular type of dry chemical extinguisher. It is filled with sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate. The BC variety leaves a mildly corrosive residue which must be cleaned immediately to prevent any damage to materials.

ABC - This is the multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher. The ABC type is filled with monoammonium phosphate, a yellow powder that leaves a sticky residue that may be damaging to electrical appliances such as a computer.

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Wet Chemical (K-Class) Extinguishers

K-Class types are the best restaurant kitchen appliance fire extinguishers you can purchase. They contain a special potassium acetate based, low PH agent developed for use in pre-engineered restaurant kitchen systems. The recent trend to more efficient cooking appliances and use of unsaturated cooking oils dictates the use of a portable fire extinguisher with greater fire fighting capacity and cooling effect to combat these very hot and difficult fires.

Purple K Extinguishers

This type of extinguisher contains a specially fluidized and siliconized potassium bicarbonate dry chemical which is particularly effective on Class B flammable liquids and pressurized gases and it is also electrically nonconductive.

Class D fire Extinguishers

Fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, sodium, lithium, and potassium. There are no numbers associated with the Class D ratings of extinguishers. Extinguishers and agents for use on combustible metals fires are rated for the amount of agent and the method of application needed to control the fire.

Foam Extinguishers

Carrying a dual rating for types 'A' & 'B' fires mark the Foam Extinguisher's ability to contain and put out fires from combustible materials and flammable liquids. The Foam Extinguisher contains an Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). When sprayed upon a flame the chemical foam spreads on the flame covered materials and liquids and forms a film on it which neutralizes the burning of the material. Since it is made of nitrogen the foam then cools the fires or materials on fire.

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